MARK Ashworth remains on course to defend his Harold Ryden Trophy after booking a semi-final spot with a 4&3 win over Jordan Brown.

The Clitheroe ace is looking to claim a sixth title at Darwen Golf Club this week in what is the East Lancashire Golf Association's biggest event of the year.

Ashworth will face home ace Liam Turner in tonight's semi-finals after he received a walkover when Accrington's Ben Scott was forced to withdraw for personal reasons. That match will get underway at 5.45pm.

Tom Yates made it two Darwen golfers into the last four on their home course after he won a thrilling quarter-final against Chris Nuttall on the 20th hole in a match of high quality.

He faces Blackburn's Anthony Harwood, a former runner-up, at 5.30pm tonight for a place in the final after Harwood claimed a 2&1 victory over Neil Durkin.